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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Jun 2001

Vol. 538 No. 3

Written Answers. - Human Rights Abuses.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

75 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to the call made by Trócaire that the Government should use its influence within the EU and the UN to halt western investment in the oil fields in Sudan in view of allegations that oil companies have been complicit in serious human rights abuses in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17802/01]

The initiative launched by Trócaire and other European NGOs is a welcome development that will help heighten public awareness of the situation in Sudan. I share many of their concerns and am pleased that officials from my Department recently met with representatives from Trócaire to discuss the role of oil companies in the conflict.

The Government's deep concern at the ongoing civil war in Sudan and the enormous humanitarian toll it has taken on its people is a matter of record. We have repeatedly articulated these concerns in public and privately. I believe that the most effective way to improve the human rights situation and ease the terrible suffering of the population is to end the protracted civil war.

Ireland, through its membership of the European Union and the IGAD partners forum, has actively sought to encourage meaningful negotiations aimed at reaching a comprehensive peaceful settlement in accordance with the agreed declaration of principles. While progress has been difficult to achieve, there have been some significant developments over the past month. On 2 June, a meeting took place in Nairobi between the Sudanese president, Omar al-Bashir, and John Garang of the Sudanese People's Liberation Army, SPLA, the first such summit meeting between the two leaders since 1997. The progress achieved at this summit was limited, but it did represent an important first step in reinvigorating the long stalled peace process and must be built upon in the months ahead.
On 24 May, the Government of Sudan announced a cessation of its air strikes in the south of the country and in the Nuba mountains. This initiative was regrettably reversed last week following an escalation of military activity by the SPLA. In a statement issued on 12 June, Ireland joined our EU colleagues in calling on both parties to halt their military activity and urged the Government of Sudan to fully honour its commitment to end aerial bombings in the south. It is essential that this renewed hostility is not permitted to reverse the tentative progress achieved on the political front.
The EU and the Sudanese Government have been conducting a renewed dialogue for the past 18 months. Within the context of these discussions, the EU has raised a wide range of concerns relating to human rights, the humanitarian situation and the conduct of the war. Oil related issues have become an increasingly important element in this dialogue. In response to the concerns expressed by NGOs and international organisations, an EU delegation made an informal visit to a number of oilfields in Sudan in May. The visit took place within the framework of the EU-Sudan dialogue and was an attempt to obtain a first hand impression of the humanitarian situation in the oil concession areas. The delegation visited a number of locations in South Kordofan and Unity State and met with a wide range of representatives from UN agencies, NGOs, local representatives of civil society and representatives from the oil companies. They were not accompanied by Sudanese Government officials.
The Government recognises that revenues from the production of oil play an important role in helping to finance the war in Sudan. It is regrettable that few of the profits from oil are reinvested in the oil producing areas, a point emphasised by the EU delegation following its visit. We have raised these concerns with our EU colleagues and have urged that efforts be made to ensure that companies operating in the country comply with international best practice. We will continue to insist that oil related matters remain a priority within the EU-Sudan dialogue and will support efforts aimed at ending the prolonged civil war.
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